Woman stole photographs from Boots after using self-service machine

A WOMAN printed out hundreds of photographs at a self-service machine, but only paid for one before leaving the store.

Eileen Thompson, 25, of Throstlenest Avenue, Darlington, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when she appeared before District Judge Christina Harrison at Darlington Magistrates’ Court.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, described the theft as "an unusual offence".

He said: “The defendant entered the Boots store in Darlington town centre with another woman and printed 187 photos from the self-service machine.

“They then printed out a further single photo and paid for that but walked out with the other 187 pictures.”

In mitigation, the court heard Thompson had been suffering mental health issues at the time of the incident in July last year and was using new medication that had left her unable to remember many of her actions from that time.

Judge Harrison noted that Thompson had stayed out of trouble since 2011 prior to this offence and added: “It’s a shame that you are before the court again.”

Thompson was fined £73 and ordered to pay compensation of £36.46 to Boots. She must also pay costs of £40 and a £20 victim surcharge.